Inverted Meteor chain tensioner question

Boondox · Jan 5, 2026

While inspecting and replacing old bearings on my SB75HD blower I dropped the idler arm assembly that keeps the chain tensioned. The parts scattered before I noticed the order they were assembled in. I have:
5/8x4 bolt
Three thick washers
An idler spacer
An idler sprocket
A 5/8” hex nut

I think one of the washers fit under the bolt head on the outside frame of the unit, two went over the bolt inside the frame, then the idler spacer, the idler sprocket, and the nut. Did I get the order right?

Pete

Rustyiron · Jan 5, 2026

Sounds right if you're idler has a bearing that slightly protrudes from the body. This would allow the bearing to.... be a bearing.

Alignment between the 2 sprockets is important to observe, but you mention a spacer and that is probably it's job. A 3/16" washer really doesn't do much for alignment, this also kinda confirms your memory.

airbiscuit · Jan 5, 2026

This my Meteor SB68PT

Boondox · Jan 5, 2026

Thanks! Got that reassembled then noticed one of the zirk fittings on the auger had broken off. So removed the eight bolts holding the auger in place, pulled it forward, removed and cleaned the bearings (the side with the broken grease fitting had evidence of water intrusion), replaced the zirk and put it all back together. Much grunting, kicking and use of levers and swearing was required.

On the plus side, after four days of inspection and repair/replacement I know every inch of this incredible implement

Pete

airbiscuit · Jan 5, 2026

Mine has been flawless except for when I run 2x4s or rocks through it. How do you like yours?

Cycledude · Jan 5, 2026

airbiscuit said:
Mine has been flawless except for when I run 2x4s or rocks through it. How do you like yours?

I happen to own a 72 inch Meteor with fully hydraulic swivel and tilt blower chute. Only used it 2 winters so far because we haven’t had much snow and my 300+ foot driveway is gravel, the ground hasn’t been freezing very well. The skid shoes it came with are about useless so I bought different ones from an outfit from Illinois but haven’t had a chance to use them because the ground usually hasn’t been frozen well enough.
I probably would not buy another Meteor snow blower because of the very worthless shoes mine came with, there are plenty of other snow blower choices out there.
As far as adjusting the drive chain yes even though it’s only one simple bolt it ain’t easy to get it adjusted properly, seems like it’s either a little to tight or a little to loose, I prefer to leave it a little to loose.

Boondox · Jan 6, 2026

airbiscuit said:
Mine has been flawless except for when I run 2x4s or rocks through it. How do you like yours?

I absolutely love it! Between my dirt driveway and my elderly neighbor’s (I do his as he is on chemo and having a tough time) I clear about half a mile. Having to look back over my shoulder would have been a literal pain in the neck. The hydraulic chute is a must have as I need to direct the snow away from various obstacles. I also use it to create an awesome sled run down a slope for the neighborhood kids; the chute is handy for creating banked curves. It’s been used hard for 15 years so the bearings were due for some TLC.

The one modification I made was installing mud flaps over the auger. Years ago a softball sized rock hidden under the snow was launched through the back window of my JD. The flaps prevent a repeat.

airbiscuit · Jan 6, 2026

I'm surprised rear pull snowblowers aren't more popular in the states.

Many years ago, I was at a dealership who had some new at the time Honda 4 stroke fishing motors on display. I asked the how they were selling - and he laughed and said at first he couldn't give them away. Customers were worried about oil spills, changing oil etc. Then he changed his strategy. He told his customers to take one home and try it out, and let him know what they thought. After experiencing the easy start, low fuel consumption, quiet operation, etc., every customer kept it, and bought one.

Going from a rear push to a rear pull snowblower cut my snow removal time in half. Dealers are hesitant to carry rear pull snowblowers because of the $1,700 price premium. I've often thought dealers should have a demo unit for customers to try and see how slick they are. I think it would boost their sales dramatically if customers could try one out.